| Description |
1 online resource. |
| Physical Medium |
polychrome |
| Description |
text file |
| Series |
Cambridge astrobiology ; 7
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Cambridge astrobiology ; 7.
|
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references and index. |
| Contents |
Cover; THE ASTROBIOLOGICAL LANDSCAPE; Title; Copyright; Contents; Acknowledgements; Introduction; 1: Astrobiology: 'The Colour Out of Space?'; The Canonical Three; Prides and prejudices; Copernicanism and the promise of synthesis; 2: Cosmology, life and duration of the past; Wallace's valiant attempt; Six eras and the (New) standard cosmology; Infinite past(s) and the Davies-Tipler argument; Time and chance: historical parallel of cosmology and astrobiology; 3: Cosmology, life and selection effects; Non-controversial observation selection: extrasolar planets. |
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Non-controversial observation selection: two examplesSomewhat controversial observation selection: fine-tuning arguments; Controversial observation selection: Olum's problem; The 'real thing': the astrobiological landscape; 4: Cosmology, life and the Archipelago; Multiverse: a universal solvent; The Archipelago of Habitability; A joint venture of fundamental physics and astrobiology; On two views of anthropic reasoning: a dialogue; 5: Astrobiology as a natural extension of Darwinism; Galactic Darwinism?; Replaying the replay; Is convergence useful?; Testing convergence. |
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A promising partnership6: Rare Earths and the continuity thesis; Rare Earth -- a key piece of the landscape?; Unphysical ceteris paribus; Further arguments against REH; The continuity thesis: 'neither chance nor design'; Haldanes ladder and noogenesis; 7: SETI and its discontents; The 'Big Three': classic anti-SETI arguments; The argument from biological contingency; Carter's argument; Beyond epistemology: the context of the campaign; Insufficiency of philosophical criticism; Towards a coherent philosophy of noogenesis and SETI; 8: Natural and artificial: the cosmic Domain of Arnheim. |
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Unconscious intelligence?' ... It was only by analogy that they called it colour at all'; The strangeness of astroengineering; 9: Astrobiology as the neo-Copernican synthesis?; Notes; Introduction; 1 Astrobiology: 'The Colour Out of Space?'; 2 Cosmology, life and duration of the past; 3 Cosmology, life and selection effects; 4 Cosmology, life and the Archipelago; 5 Astrobiology as a natural extension of Darwinism; 6 Rare Earths and the continuity thesis; 7 SETI and its discontents; 8 Natural and artificial: the cosmic Domain of Arnheim; 9 Astrobiology as the neo-Copernican synthesis? |
| Bibliography |
ReferencesIndex. |
| Summary |
Astrobiology is an expanding, interdisciplinary field investigating the origin, evolution and future of life in the universe. Tackling many of the foundational debates of the subject, from discussions of cosmological evolution to detailed reviews of common concepts such as the 'Rare Earth' hypothesis, this volume is the first systematic survey of the philosophical aspects and conundrums in the study of cosmic life. The author's exploration of the increasing number of cross-over problems highlights the relationship between astrobiology and cosmology and presents some of the challenges of multidisciplinary study. Modern physical theories dealing with the multiverse add a further dimension to the debate. With a selection of beautifully presented illustrations and a strong emphasis on constructing a unified methodology across disciplines, this book will appeal to graduate students and specialists who seek to rectify the fragmented nature of current astrobiological endeavour, as well as curious astrophysicists, biologists and SETI enthusiasts. |
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Introducing new, multidisciplinary concepts, this book explains how we have reached a critical threshold in the study of astrobiology. |
| Local Note |
eBooks on EBSCOhost EBSCO eBook Subscription Academic Collection - North America |
| Subject |
Exobiology.
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Exobiology. |
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Natural history.
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Natural history. |
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Astronomy.
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Astronomy. |
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Science.
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Science. |
| Genre/Form |
Electronic books.
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| Other Form: |
Print version: Cirkovic, Milan M. Astrobiological Landscape. Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2012 9780521197755 |
| ISBN |
9781139518253 (electronic book) |
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1139518259 (electronic book) |
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9780511667404 (electronic book) |
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051166740X (electronic book) |
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1280773855 |
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9781280773853 |
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9780521197755 |
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0521197759 |
|
9781139516402 |
|
113951640X |
|
9781139514750 (electronic book) |
|
113951475X |
|
